Definition

1. Noun:

   • A casting net; a throw net: A type of fishing net, weighted around its edges with lead sinkers ("chì"), which is thrown by hand to spread out and sink over fish.

2. Verb:

   • To fish using a casting net: The action of catching fish by throwing this specific type of net.
   • (Archaic/Folk belief) To bewitch; to cast a spell on: To use magic or sorcery to cause illness or misfortune to someone, according to superstitious belief.
   • (Colloquial) To charm; to enchant; to captivate: To cause someone to become infatuated or deeply fascinated, often in a romantic context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ngư dân quăng chài xuống biển. (The fisherman threw the casting net into the sea.)
  • Câu tục ngữ "mất cả chì lẫn chài" có nghĩa là mất trắng tay. (The proverb "to lose both the lead sinkers and the net" means to lose everything.)
• Verb (to fish):
  • Ông ấy chài cá trên sông mỗi sáng. (He fishes with a cast net on the river every morning.)
• Verb (to bewitch):
  • Người xưa tin rằng có thể bị ốm do bị thầy mo chài. (People in the past believed one could fall ill from being bewitched by a shaman.)
• Verb (to charm):
  • Cô ấy bị anh ta chài mất rồi. (She has been completely charmed by him.)

Advanced Usage

• The proverb "Chồng chài, vợ lưới, con câu" (The husband casts the net, the wife handles the seine, the child fishes with a rod) depicts a traditional fishing family where each member has a specific role.
• The idiom "mất cả chì lẫn chài" (to lose both the lead and the net) is a common metaphor for suffering a total loss, losing everything one has invested.

Variants and Related Words

• Dân chài (n): Fishing folk; fishing community.
  • Làng dân chài ven biển. (A coastal fishing village.)
• Thuyền chài (n): Fishing boat (specifically one used for cast net fishing).
  • Những chiếc thuyền chài trở về cảng. (The fishing boats return to the harbor.)
• Nghề chài (n): The fishing trade.
  • Nghề chài lưới đã có từ lâu đời. (The fishing trade has existed for a long time.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Casting net, throw net.
• Verb (to fish): To net, to fish.
• Verb (to bewitch): To hex, to jinx.
• Verb (to charm): To mesmerize, to enthrall.

Related Idioms

• Mất cả chì lẫn chài: To lose lock, stock, and barrel; to lose one's shirt.
• Chồng chài, vợ lưới, con câu: Describes a traditional family where everyone works together in the same trade, each with a specific task.

noun

1. Casting-net
   • quăng chài
     to throw (cast) a casting-net
   • kéo chài
     to draw casting-net
   • mất cả chì lẫn chài
     to lose lock, stock and barrel

verb

1. To fish with a casting-net
2. dùng phụ sau danh từ, hạn chế trong một số tổ hợp)To fish
   • dân chài
     fishing people, fishermen
   • thuyền chài
     a fishing boat
   • nghề chài
     the fishing trade